Tuesday, June 11, 2013

I have a love/hate relationship with my kitchen. Some days I find myself spending the entire day within its walls, grateful for this big space and all the memories it holds. Other days I just want to walk away from the room and all the chores it holds. Do you know what I mean?

I suppose I feel this way because the kitchen is the most-used room in my house, by far. It serves as the cooking/dining/entertaining/bill-paying/writing/sewing/crafting/homework-doing/LEGO-building room, all rolled into one.

In an effort to freshen up this space, I've made some little changes to my kitchen recently, and I want to share them with you.

New wall color. Some of you helped me out as I was trying to decide what color to paint this room. I knew I wanted to stay with a green. I decided to go for bold and chose Sherwin Williams' Sassy Green, which is kind of a pear/Granny smith apple color. It's bright, but I like it!

New room arrangement. This big room was originally intended to function as three rooms in one: kitchen, breakfast room, and keeping room. When we first moved in we had a small eating table in the breakfast room space with a sofa and chairs in the keeping room space.

While that sounded really good on paper, that didn't really work out too well for our family--for the most part, the keeping room space was wasted. So then we had a desk added to the end of the room and created a little sitting and office area for me. I liked this arrangement, but again the space wasn't being used much. We were always wishing that we just had more room for eating. So we finally decided just to axe the idea of the sitting room at the end and make a really large eating space. We already had a big table: our breakfast table is 11 feet long with both leaves in place. Now we're just keeping all the leaves in place and enjoying the huge table.

Told you it's a big table!

New chairs. To go with the big table, my husband really wanted some captain's chairs at the ends of the table. He likes to have a comfortable place to sit when we linger over meals. I chose these chairs from Pottery Barn. Believe me, I emptied a can of Scotch Guard on each chair before putting them in place!

New chandelier. After deciding to keep the big table in place, we wanted a big chandelier to illuminate the eating area. Of course beautiful, sparkly chandeliers are all the rage right now, but our style in this room is very casual, so sparkly chandeliers weren't the look we were after. We wanted something a little more rustic--but not too rustic. We wanted something that would be good quality--but wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. We wanted something that would be large enough to be in proportion with the huge table--but we didn't want to block the view to outside. We're not picky at all, are we? It took a while to find what we wanted, but we're happy with the Arturo chandelier from Ballard Designs.

Here it is all lit up:

All in all, we're enjoying our kitchen more than ever before. We recently had a casual dinner party for 35, and we were so glad for our new arrangement!

What do you think? Do you like the changes? And tell me, have you any updates to made to your kitchen recently? Please share them!

25
comments:

I love the new lighting and the table and chairs! I think that chandelier is perfect for the space.The Roman shade is so pretty. I have re-used a tablecloth before for various projects too (mostly recently a cushion cover). Have a great Tuesday.

I love it! So beautiful and the table is to die for. I am wanting to put large chairs at the end of my dining room table when we get moved and I love the ones you chose. Everything is so warm and comfortable and perfect! Great updates. :)

Aha! When I looked at your photos from your House Tour last week I noticed the sitting area was gone (or at least not shown), you had a new roman shade and new lights in the kitchen! And, I wondered to myself why I'd never noticed your beautiful long table. Everything looks so nice!

I love,love,love your kitchen. It is so big and beautiful, great color too. That huge island is to die for. Your new chandy and pendants are just perfect, and that table i awesome. I love this room. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

All of the changes look great Richella!! I love the new chairs that you added to the ends of your table! You are blessed to have such a big, beautiful kitchen! I wish ours larger. Entertaining is a bit tricky in our small space!

It's all so crisp and cheerful! That's how I imagine you to be also. Isn't it funny how our homes are a reflection of our personalities? I am waiting for the day when I can come sit on your enclosed porch and have some tea and a good, long, uplifting conversation! Lisa~

Your kitchen is gorgeous, Richella. And I'm in love with that big table. Wish you had entered my kitchen contest--I think it would have been a popular one! But I think the real reward must be having such a beautiful space where you can gather with your family and friends. :)

Hi there, I love all your changes and your kitchen is to dream about. I've got a wonderful size kitchen but since hubby wants to move in the next year and possibly rent this place, we won't be changing anything(his choice not mine).Thanks for sharing.Hugs, Noreen

Hey, Love the Sassy green I did purchase the same color, but I am on hold as to where I may use it now! Change of plans :)Your table is wonderful. We have some family relatives who has a similar table, but the white chairs are amazing. Love it!Thanks for the tour!Blessings, Roxy

Well, Richella, I adored your kitchen before and even more now! I especially like how warm and inviting the room is. We did some DIYing in our kitchen last year. You can see it here: http://cas-anoasisinthedesert.blogspot.com/2012/09/the- kitchen-reveal.html?m=0 if you are interested.

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Child of God, apprentice to Jesus, wife of a great guy, and mom of three wonderful sons, I'm a blessed and profoundly grateful woman. I'm also a writer and speaker, and I serve on the Ministry Team and Board of Directors of Renovaré, a ministry dedicated to Christian spiritual formation.

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